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Chick-fil-esque Fried Chicken

Introduction: Chick-fil-esque Fried Chicken

Disclaimer: I am not an angry ex-employee. I do not now nor have I ever had any affiliation with Chick-fil-a. This is simply a recipe that tastes almost exactly like Chick-fil-a chicken. So without further ado...

This recipe can be used to make either chicken nuggets or chicken sandwiches. The pictures I posted are for nuggets, but the steps are the same for both. The amount of breading here is enough for about 4 chicken sandwiches or 2 chicken breasts worth of nuggets.

Step 1: Ingredients

Peanut Oil (I usually cook in a small pot and it takes only 2 cups, but if you're cooking a deep fryer or large frying pan it will take more)
1 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 or 4 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

The most important ingredient:

Chicken (raw, should be boneless)

The ingredient you'd least suspect

Pickle juice

Step 2: Step 1: Marinate

If you are making chicken nuggets, cut up the raw chick now. If you are making sandwiches you can just use a boneless, skinless chicken breast as is. Either way, put the chicken in a ziplock bag or tupperware and pour in the pickle juice. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. At most leave it overnight. You will notice that the edges of the chicken start turning yellow over time, this is supposed to happen.

Step 3: Step 2: Heat the Oil

If you are using a deep fryer or pressure cooker set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using a stovetop pot or frying pan, set it to medium high heat. It could take up to 20 minutes to heat up.

Step 4: Step 3: Breading

Mix the egg with the milk in a small bowl. You really don't need to be specific in measuring the milk, anywhere between 1/2 a cup and a cup will give you the same result.

Mix the flour, sugar, salt and pepper in another bowl.

Optional:
Dry the chicken off with some paper towels, then coat it in the flour mixture. This helps the breading stick better. You can also cook the chicken for longer so that the breading is crunchier. This will also keep the breading on better.

Not optional:

Dip the chicken in the milk mixture, and then coat it in the flour mixture.

Step 5: Step 4: Frying

If you are using a pressure cooker or deep fryer a chicken sandwich will take 3 to 4 minutes, and nuggets will be closer to 2. If you are cooking in a frying pan or pot it will likely take longer and you have to keep an eye on it. If the chicken starts turning a dark brown in under 30 seconds, the outside will burn, while the inside is still raw. If you see this happening pull the chicken out, remove the pot or pan from heat and wait a minute for it to cool slightly. Turn down the heat and put the chicken back in. Keep in mind that because you are cooking in oil you don't really have to worry about the chicken drying out from cooking for too long.

When the chicken is fully cooked place it on a plate covered in 2 or 3 paper towels to let some oil drain off while the chicken cools for a minute or two.

Step 6: Conclusion

Remember grease catches fire very easily and grease fire's can't be put out with water so be sure that your kitchen has a fire extinguisher. Also don't pour oil down the sink when you are finished with it. It can cause real problems with the drain. You should wait for the oil to cool and pour it into an empty plastic bottle with a lid an throw it out with the trash.

Tips

Questions

2 Comments

I know that pickles can be made with vinegar or brine, but I'm not sure what goes into the ones I bought. Just buy a jar of pickles, aka pickled cucumbers, aka gherkins and use the liquid in the jar. According to Wikipedia, the US standard is the kosher dill pickle which is apparently made in a garlic flavored salt brine instead of using vinegar.

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